tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21082793624582332582018-03-07T10:21:29.083-05:00Pittsburgh Pioneer Girlafilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.comBlogger62125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-11105616700654519952012-04-17T18:16:00.001-04:002012-04-18T09:15:11.674-04:00There Was a Crooked Road...<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--G6Gn1bJwdE/T46sXasIZ4I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/GIeyQnS3-y8/s1600/Gravity+Mckinney.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="244" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--G6Gn1bJwdE/T46sXasIZ4I/AAAAAAAAAZ0/GIeyQnS3-y8/s320/Gravity+Mckinney.PNG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Good morning, friends and pioneers everywhere. Today's excursion took me to North Park in McCandless in search of Pittsburgh's own anti-gravity spot...GRAVITY HILL..located at the intersection of Kummer and McKinney Road near the golf course. &nbsp;Upon finding the exact location, I was relieved that no cars were behind me as I stopped at the STOP SIGN, put the car in neutral... and started to "magically" roll up hill in reverse...and at a pretty good clip!</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whoa, what a strange experience...to lose control for that brief moment, causing you to question the Newton's Law of Gravity!&nbsp;&nbsp;I was &nbsp;completely DISCOMBOBULATED. &nbsp;&nbsp;I drove away, and came back as I had to try it again. &nbsp;Below is the picture of the intersection from my Nissan and I am truly going backwards at that moment. &nbsp;Just to test it out, I tried it again at another stop sign with what I thought to be about the same sloping grade..and nope didn't work. &nbsp;So what's up with Gravity Hill?</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-axdpXIH2Clk/T46sY5xZPyI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/H9KXybuS37g/s1600/Gravity.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="317" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-axdpXIH2Clk/T46sY5xZPyI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/H9KXybuS37g/s320/Gravity.PNG" width="320" /></a></div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-axdpXIH2Clk/T46sY5xZPyI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/H9KXybuS37g/s1600/Gravity.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are numerous anti-gravity spots through the country where laws of physics and gravity do not apply. &nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">Some people this is a magnetic force.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">.Some people believe thinks there's a warp in Earth's gravity at these locations.</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp; A quirky tourist attraction in Santa Cruz, California, touts its own "Mystery Spot." F</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">olks there have fun speculating that extra-terrestrials buried unearthly metals or a spacecraft beneath the site. &nbsp;They claim that&nbsp;</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 17px;">people get headaches on the tour from the STRANGE FORCES . . . </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 17px;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I don't know about all that, but it's still fun.</span></span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But here's the truth! &nbsp;Read on if you really want to know, as the Law of Gravity really is the law.</span><br /><br /><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's an... optical illusion (shhh!) &nbsp;The illusion is caused by the landscape. &nbsp;The position of trees and slopes of nearby scenery and a curvy horizon line have blended to trick the eye. GPS measurements by physicists show the elevation at the start is higher than at the end. The road actually slopes downhill according to a physicist at Penn State... I guess, sigh! &nbsp;Damn, now I wish I hadn't had to report this!! But it's okay, our imagination can still play...and it's still a weird feeling.</span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DIpDW7ZoqUQ/T463ZfTLXCI/AAAAAAAAAaE/x_2cDwoQNok/s1600/Gravity+crooked+house.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DIpDW7ZoqUQ/T463ZfTLXCI/AAAAAAAAAaE/x_2cDwoQNok/s320/Gravity+crooked+house.PNG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crooked House, Storybook Forest</td></tr></tbody></table><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Illusion...reminds me of my favorite little spot of strangeness when I was a kid...at Storybook Forest in Ligonier, PA. &nbsp;That crooked house confounded me!! &nbsp;</span><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So once again, this exploration led me to another place and another time of fun illusions... and to remember: &nbsp; t</span><i style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">here was a crooked man, who had a crooked house...he had a crooked cat, who chased a crooked mouse.</i></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I like that much better than the dry old Law of Gravity..it's just a crooked road is all.. &nbsp;Until next time, keep your eyes open.... xoxo PG</span></div><div style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div style="background-color: white; font-size: 12px;"></div><br /><br class="Apple-interchange-newline" /><br /><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br /></div><br />afilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com0McCandless Township, McCandless Township40.58348 -80.02997tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-83809070139258799442012-04-06T09:53:00.001-04:002012-04-06T09:53:59.175-04:00Travel Songs...Hitch Hike??<div><p>Good morning, fellow pioneers and also time travelers... Todays coordinates find me in the year 1962, diggin' some Marvin&nbsp; <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FioNrMTrVXk&feature=youtube_gdata_player">Watch "Marvin Gaye (Hitch Hike)" on YouTube</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; What's your favorite "traveling" theme song?&nbsp; Does Hitch Hike count as a travel song?&nbsp; <br>&nbsp;&nbsp; <u>xoxoPG</u></p></div>afilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-47201281414346064572012-04-03T10:14:00.004-04:002012-04-03T14:32:58.822-04:00Flying Discs?<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cwErj728qQ4/T3r8K8Bv0-I/AAAAAAAAAZY/H46-Gp8jU4o/s1600/Hole.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-cwErj728qQ4/T3r8K8Bv0-I/AAAAAAAAAZY/H46-Gp8jU4o/s200/Hole.PNG" width="186" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hole #1 Knob Hill&nbsp;</td></tr></tbody></table>Monday, April 2, 2012 - GPS coordinates find me in Marshall Township, walking and exploring the Thorn Hill Trail with my buddy, Mary. &nbsp;It's a nicely wooded hilly trail that skims Knob Road and a park aptly named Knob Hill Park. &nbsp;I say aptly because true to it's name the park sits atop a nicely manicured hill, a knob if you will, circled by forest. &nbsp;We decided to explore the perimeter of the park and kept coming upon these "things," which I thought had something to do with parking your bicycle as there are chains hanging down. &nbsp;Hmmm, unusual to ride a bike up this grassy hill, but what did I know? &nbsp; <br /><br />We spot a couple and their two dogs, getting ready to do...what?? &nbsp;Then, colored flying discs are threading their way through the trees like frisbees....and hey! &nbsp;it's a competition. &nbsp;The young girl had quite a delivery, too, I must say. &nbsp;And as it turns out, yours truly, has discovered Disc Golf...and, here we were right smack in the middle of the golf course. &nbsp;Sorry, folks! &nbsp; I had never heard of Disc Golf and the young couple took time to show us the ropes, even offered to let us try our hand at a hole in one...uh, I don't think so! &nbsp;I found it interesting that their 2 dogs did not try chasing the discs (unfortunately I kept calling them frisbees), the cute guy said his dogs are trained not to even try. &nbsp;He gave us a demonstration and it was true, but they will chase a stick or two. &nbsp; Good dogs!<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DDbqM5zSId4/T3sAPdWb3fI/AAAAAAAAAZg/8qrX2iZrOvQ/s1600/flying+disk.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="164" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DDbqM5zSId4/T3sAPdWb3fI/AAAAAAAAAZg/8qrX2iZrOvQ/s200/flying+disk.PNG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Map: Pittsburgh Flying Disc Society</td></tr></tbody></table>Check it out:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.dgcoursereview.com/reviews.php?id=124&amp;mode=rev#.T3r3kqHE3cs.blogger">Knob Hill Park in Warrendale, PA&nbsp;</a><br /><br />Then I discover there's this whole league, Pittsburgh Flying Disc Society, and there are courses in Schenley Park, Moraine, Deer Park, and others all across the country. &nbsp;You can find them here: &nbsp;<a href="http://www.pfds.org/">http://www.pfds.org</a>&nbsp; There are local leagues, national leagues and pros.. I just never knew!! &nbsp;See what you can discover if you just get out there and look!<br /><br />Am I the only person who never knew of this sport? &nbsp;Leave me a message, I'd love to know! <br /><br />So, I explored a new park and discovered a new sport...it was a good Pioneer Girl day. &nbsp;Thanks for reading.. over and out for now...xoxoPGafilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-50841303280347260202012-01-21T09:54:00.001-05:002012-01-21T09:54:44.529-05:00Smiling Thailand<div><p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QT5lDfn7eFU&feature=youtube_gdata_player">Watch "Wish You Were Here : Episode 1 (Bangkok)" on YouTube</a><br></p></div>afilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-42679815274454985562012-01-07T01:41:00.002-05:002012-01-07T01:45:30.696-05:00Hipping and Hopping...Islands that is.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4tq8sGNsErI/TwfTI7NyoLI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/Kr8ME2c3QVk/s1600/IMG_0309.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4tq8sGNsErI/TwfTI7NyoLI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/Kr8ME2c3QVk/s200/IMG_0309.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Where? Bamboo Island</td></tr></tbody></table>January 5, 2012 - Seen on Bamboo Island...Guess who! &nbsp;yes PG was here!! &nbsp;Speedboating to the Islands off of Krabi..just like James Bond. &nbsp;Bamboo Island is a flat evergreen island with beautiful white sand and perfect clear sea. &nbsp;Speedboating is just a little rough on the sea, similar to a long, bouncing Kennywood ride, felt like I was on the Thunderbolt for quite a while. &nbsp;But check out the scenery getting there! &nbsp;Vertical limestone mountains jutting out of the sea... so super awe inspiring..<br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UyYmbIEA5wI/TwfWcWGewMI/AAAAAAAAAXY/Jy9vSA_qtJw/s1600/IMG_0322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UyYmbIEA5wI/TwfWcWGewMI/AAAAAAAAAXY/Jy9vSA_qtJw/s200/IMG_0322.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />After leaving Bamboo Island, we headed to a few hidden coves where we jumped in the refreshing water, did some snorkeling in Monkey Cove amongst the longboats and coral reefs with lots of waving fish of yellow and blue stripes, and then snacked on fresh cut watermelon, pineapple, and papaya. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq-cFNXbdwc/TwfZsDkp5XI/AAAAAAAAAXg/0RgOtw6VlOs/s1600/IMG_0334.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wq-cFNXbdwc/TwfZsDkp5XI/AAAAAAAAAXg/0RgOtw6VlOs/s200/IMG_0334.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Guess Who</td></tr></tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yuA5tR3-Ix0/TwfjqXij1mI/AAAAAAAAAYI/btdv4rDIQEQ/s1600/IMG_0331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yuA5tR3-Ix0/TwfjqXij1mI/AAAAAAAAAYI/btdv4rDIQEQ/s200/IMG_0331.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carlito's Bar - Phi Phi Island</td></tr></tbody></table>On to Phi Phi Island...this is the largest of the islands and is where The Beach was filmed in 2000, and it was the island devastated by the Indian Ocean Tsunami in 2004. &nbsp; When you look out at the sea from the bay of the beach,surrounded by two very tall limestone ridges how frightening it is to imagine seeing a 10' high wave and an 18' high wave...two bays..two huge waves...coming your way. &nbsp; &nbsp;Happened in December, full of tourists. &nbsp;Thousands of people were missing, some estimate the figure post-tsunami at about 4,000 (including tourists)<br /><br /><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WSmpQ4FRyio/TwfjjukQbdI/AAAAAAAAAYA/BxLFKUDQL70/s1600/IMG_0333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WSmpQ4FRyio/TwfjjukQbdI/AAAAAAAAAYA/BxLFKUDQL70/s200/IMG_0333.JPG" width="200" /></a>After lunch, we headed back across the Andaman Sea...a brief stop at Monkey Island , and back to Krabi to relax at hotel..the Pakasai Hotel is awesome, and btw Pakasai was the name of Krabi when it was a sub-county and under the King Rama officials used to catch elephants there, and Pakasai became Krabi province. &nbsp;A little PG history here.<br /><br />Today is my last day of my Thailand Adventure.. Taking care of sundry items, packing, repacking, getting documents together, tending to a little sun burn..but I do believe I have it in me for another Thai Massage (had a Thai Reflexology massage yesterday...bliss..) &nbsp; I have lots of experiences and memories that I will keep for a long time, and savor until..my next visit to .... &nbsp; Peace and Love, and remember wherever you are, you are there...xoxo PG<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>afilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-17950117611393673732012-01-06T23:55:00.000-05:002012-01-06T23:55:27.040-05:00Why the Caged Birds Sing in Thailand<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2ZrUcUBzwpo/TwfI8u4OQOI/AAAAAAAAAXA/ZBOnsStD-jk/s200/red+whiskered+bulbul+pattani.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Red-Whiskered Bulbul photo Phi Phi Island</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">January, 2012 - I have seen time and time again outside of shops, homes, cafes, bamboo cages and with lovely warbling birds..the red-whiskered bulbul (nok krong hua juck). &nbsp; They have a beautiful singing voice. &nbsp; Being a wildlife enthusiast myself, I do have mixed feelings about caging these lovely species. &nbsp;The Thai's do have a bird trade and some</span>&nbsp;h<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ave a particular kind of bird trap to catch these fruit eating birds. &nbsp;While here in this culture, I look beyond my own personal feelings about caging birds (we actually had an exhausted trained carrier pigeon on our balcony last night...cats going crazy, but he would not move...he continued on his journey by morning)</span></div><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ud5XWcWAFQ/TwfHiBFSBwI/AAAAAAAAAW4/Frk8WBW5rTc/s1600/caged+birds+bulbuls.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="176" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_ud5XWcWAFQ/TwfHiBFSBwI/AAAAAAAAAW4/Frk8WBW5rTc/s320/caged+birds+bulbuls.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bird Singing Contest outside of Nichada</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Thai's hold bird singing contests (or golden voice contests) and we did come upon one outside of Nichada, where I am staying. I took this photo from the motorbike but we did decide to stop to see how the competition is conducted (mostly in rural communities by the way). &nbsp;Lots of whistle blowing, and bets being made, the referee listens and counts each note apparently. &nbsp;We never figured out the rules but it was fun to watch. &nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So I guess the caged birds sing because they and their owners love for them to sing...and perhaps bring some extra Bahts.. &nbsp;I can also tell you that morning, noon, and night the trees sing out full of mynas, oriental turtle doves, peaceful doves, barbets and so many others in the canopy below us. &nbsp; Keep singing..for now this bird is still free.....xoxo PG</span>afilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-61853338063768167582012-01-03T22:37:00.001-05:002012-01-03T22:40:23.603-05:00Wonderful, Mahvalous, Prodigious Thailand<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JDukK2jdVWA/TwO9nQeBslI/AAAAAAAAAVc/41AE60XJA2k/s1600/me+kayak.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="157" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-JDukK2jdVWA/TwO9nQeBslI/AAAAAAAAAVc/41AE60XJA2k/s200/me+kayak.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PG looking like Survivor Girl</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>January 3, 2012 -&nbsp;</b>&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;We are staying on the Island of Krabi on the coast of the Andaman sea which is a labryinthe of erupting vertical islands and&nbsp;long tail&nbsp;boats. &nbsp;The town is called Ao Nang and is filled with inns, shops, cafes and Thai Massage shops on every block. &nbsp;You can also catch a boat to the isolated beaches of Phra Nang Cape, where the famous former hippie colony of Railey Beach is located. &nbsp;(more on Railey Beach soon) &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;The bays and coves of Krabi have sheltered pirates, merchants and sea gypsies for thousands of years.&nbsp;</span><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u890wS8Wjc8/TwO-RV6D4TI/AAAAAAAAAV0/Ctt3uZjpqWw/s1600/Lets+Go+Krabi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-u890wS8Wjc8/TwO-RV6D4TI/AAAAAAAAAV0/Ctt3uZjpqWw/s200/Lets+Go+Krabi.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Couple of Sea Gypsies</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;In fact, here's a couple of blonde sea gypsies I spotted right in front of me! &nbsp;Let's Go! Krabi!</span><br /><div><div></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today we visited ThanBok Khornee National Park on Krabi for some kayaking on a lagoon through beautiful mangrove forests and giant limestone cliffs. After getting off to a rough start with coordinating paddling efforts and going around in circles, we got our sh** together and off we went. &nbsp; The peaceful kayaking took us through caves dripping with sharp limestone stalactites and erupting with stalagmites. &nbsp; The cliffs were amazing and our companions were all super cool. &nbsp;</span></div></div><div><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SkO765A0X30/TwO-AWXdRXI/AAAAAAAAAVo/o_LuRmF5EN0/s200/Cave+Kayak.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="200" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering First Cave</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SkO765A0X30/TwO-AWXdRXI/AAAAAAAAAVo/o_LuRmF5EN0/s1600/Cave+Kayak.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">&nbsp;We finished up in a large cave called the Big Head Ghost Cave with ancient cave drawings estimated to be over 3 thousand years old. &nbsp;Yours truly had to climb through the cave barefoot as I have a fear of wet flip flops...and some of you will know why. &nbsp;See the pic below ...and can you tell why it's called Big Head Ghost Cave? &nbsp;</span><br /><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br /></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b></b></span><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PUEuqAOeIfk/TwPEvdCt4bI/AAAAAAAAAWA/9d9IK9RFRg4/s1600/Ghost+Cave.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PUEuqAOeIfk/TwPEvdCt4bI/AAAAAAAAAWA/9d9IK9RFRg4/s200/Ghost+Cave.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Head Ghost Cave</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><br /><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Okay so here's a word I've been wanting to use on my blog since I got here, because..well because I'm feeling very prodigious right now...wonderful, mahvalous, PRODIGIOUS! &nbsp;Onward to Railley Beach today. &nbsp;I hope you all have a prodigious day too.. &nbsp;</span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Peace and Love...xoxoPG</span></div><div><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div><div></div></div>afilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-47544415178514077212012-01-01T20:05:00.000-05:002012-01-01T20:05:43.470-05:00Fly with the Greatest of Ease..<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xW8sEdBpfP4/TwEA3kqgpPI/AAAAAAAAAUA/HSOiQN317P4/s1600/IMG_0155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xW8sEdBpfP4/TwEA3kqgpPI/AAAAAAAAAUA/HSOiQN317P4/s200/IMG_0155.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; text-align: -webkit-left;">December 30, 2011 - Our visit to Chaing Mai in northwestern Thailand was awesome.. &nbsp;a much anticipated zip lining experience across the rainforest canopy is a must-do. &nbsp;We hired a skilled driver for the day , traffic is in a constant state of snarl in the populated areas, best to leave it to the pros.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; text-align: -webkit-left;"><br /></span><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5fnQAaeCuZs/TwECLj_v1lI/AAAAAAAAAUY/gqRZZrd4xhA/s1600/IMG_0119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5fnQAaeCuZs/TwECLj_v1lI/AAAAAAAAAUY/gqRZZrd4xhA/s200/IMG_0119.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; text-align: -webkit-left;">The day started with a visit to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep,a temple high in the mountains (over 5,000 feet) overlooking Chaing Mai (Mount Thai Suthep) lunched at the butterfly and orchid farm, and then finally a visit to the rainforest.&nbsp; Our driver hooked us with with an eco-friendly, &nbsp;private zip-lining experience run by local Thai's (no tied up Gibbons for human amusement).</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; text-align: -webkit-left;"><br /></span><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wJokD3ZjsaE/TwEBjvZhxLI/AAAAAAAAAUM/9xm8jN3JHbY/s1600/IMG_0152.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wJokD3ZjsaE/TwEBjvZhxLI/AAAAAAAAAUM/9xm8jN3JHbY/s200/IMG_0152.JPG" width="150" /></a><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; text-align: -webkit-left;">Outfitted with harnesses, helmets and gloves and two hang-lines, we flew from treetop to treetop with cables and pulleys on a cable high above the forest floor...super fun. Now, yours truly PG has a fear of heights which was quickly surpassed by flying through the air with the greatest of ease. &nbsp;We flew connected with about 12 platforms, the most impressive about 500 meters (about 1/3 mile) emerging from the jungle and flying low across a beautiful lake. &nbsp;On this particular leg, we were hooked up on our backs so that we could fly like "superman" across the lake...oh, and since its a long flight this position would enable us to make it all the way across... &nbsp;Well not for your truly. &nbsp;I almost made it as my guides waited patiently on the platform. &nbsp;I got about 15 yards from them and then started going backwards back across the lake. &nbsp;What the heck! &nbsp;HELP! &nbsp;I heard lots of laughter on the shore and I continued to drift until one of the guides hooked up and started his way across to rescue me. &nbsp;At the same time, I went into rescue yourself mode and started to walk my hands across the cable to meet him. &nbsp;I highly recommend a zip-lining trip. &nbsp;Once you get past the initial...how do I land fear, it's an awesome flight.</span><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; text-align: -webkit-left;"><br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: -webkit-left;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: 'Century Gothic', 'Trebuchet MS', Arial, Helvetica; font-size: medium;"><b>Heading to the beaches of Krabi today, more adventures to come! &nbsp;Thanks for following me on my trip. &nbsp;PG is savoring it all... &nbsp;Keep your eyes open...xoxo PG</b></span></div>afilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-38761043038571669292011-12-31T06:02:00.000-05:002011-12-31T06:02:00.265-05:00Eat Like an Artist in 2012I found this awesome article by Meg Worden, a Writer and Health + Creativity Consultant and loved it so much i wanted to share it.&nbsp;Is it okay to put it on my blog?&nbsp; &nbsp;I wish I had written it...<br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://www.elephantjournal.com/2011/12/eat-like-and-artist-in-2012/image-11/" rel="attachment wp-att-261177" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="alignnone size-large wp-image-261177" height="152" src="http://images.elephantjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Image3-500x380.jpg" width="200" /></a>"...<strong>Oxygen</strong>&nbsp;is THE primary nutrient. Get as much as you can. Take long deep breaths before, during and after you go to bed, get out of bed, speak, respond, make a decision, eat something, drink something or smoke.</div><strong>Don’t smoke.</strong>&nbsp;But if you do, breathe more than you smoke.<br /><strong>Hang around trees.</strong>&nbsp;They are making oxygen all day long and giving it away for free.&nbsp; They are also willing to teach you how to be still, silent and patient, to have deep roots, a strong spine and arms that reach towards the sun.<br /><strong>Drink water.</strong>&nbsp;Drink more water than any other liquid. Have a glass of water right after you breathe and before doing any of the things above. Go have a glass of water right now.<br /><strong>If you drink coffee or wine or scotch, be moderate.</strong>&nbsp;Stop with the first flush. And always-always-always drink only the finest coffee, wine and scotch you can afford. This is non negotiable.<br /><strong>Eat Food.</strong>&nbsp;Real food. Beautiful food. Vibrant food. Living food. Eat many plants because plants are so smart they figured out how to turn sunlight&nbsp;<em>directly</em>&nbsp;into food. Eat that miracle every single day.<br /><strong>Eat food with people you love.</strong>&nbsp;Even if you’re alone.<br /><strong>Do not</strong>&nbsp;eat the inedible stuff that is&nbsp;pre-made, packaged, frozen, canned, is an unnatural color or comes from places of unspeakable cruelty and disease. But if any of this is, for whatever reason, the best of your available options…eat with grace and graciousness. Allow it to nourish you anyhow.<br /><strong>Same goes for meat, dairy and sugar.</strong>&nbsp;Not much. But if and when you do, with grace.<br /><strong>Move around.</strong>&nbsp;Find&nbsp;exercise&nbsp;you enjoy and do it. Try yoga.<br /><strong>Be still.</strong>&nbsp;Try meditation.<br /><strong>A strong, flexible, well-fed body with a wide range of motion and a tolerance for stillness will give all those ideas you’re going to have in 2012 a sound container to percolate in. It will make sure those ideas are so clear and righteous that they spring forth from your forehead fully formed like Athena from the forehead of Zeus. Immortal ideas, darling.</strong><br /><strong>Feed your immortal ideas&nbsp;</strong>with music, art and literature that is so breathtakingly beautiful that your body hurts from the experience. Then write to the artist and tell them what their work meant to you.<br /><strong>Consume more art than news.</strong><br /><strong>Do not stay in toxic relationships.</strong>&nbsp;Period. Sometimes you have to love people from a distance. That’s all I’ll say about this.<br /><strong>Do cultivate healthy relationships.</strong>&nbsp;Make time for people that inspire and uplift you. Consider these meetings with your brilliant friends and collaborators the most important part of your job.<br /><strong>Consider belly laughing till tears stream down your cheeks to be the most important part of your job.</strong><br /><strong>Also consider time alone to nurture your immortal ideas the most important part of&nbsp; your job.</strong><br /><br /><strong>And if you hate your job, for the love of all things, please do something else.</strong>&nbsp;Don’t let “the economy” &nbsp;or any one or thing guilt you into being thankful for a job that is killing you. There is&nbsp;<em>always&nbsp;</em>another way.<br /><br /><strong>Being an artist in the world- whether you write, paint, take photographs, grow orchids, craft wedding cakes, practice healing arts or create your own entrepreneurial income in any format is a big responsibility. It requires a tender sensitivity, exquisite bravery and deep, rhythmic tenacity. It can be, at times&nbsp;frightening&nbsp;and painful. Ask for help when you need it. Be alone when you need it. But do not, under any circumstances, stop. Because your work is crucial. In fact, the whole wide world waits with bated breath for your unique light to shine upon it."</strong><br /><br /><em><strong>This is your one precious life. You have arrived.</strong></em>afilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-54840161219861800362011-12-31T03:19:00.000-05:002011-12-31T03:19:00.550-05:00New Year's Eve in Thailand<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s320x320/382749_2376596782246_1470401728_31847273_479007246_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" class="img" height="225" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/s320x320/382749_2376596782246_1470401728_31847273_479007246_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">I'm very happy to be spending the&nbsp;LAST of 2011 and first of 2012...here in Thailand with loved ones.&nbsp; May your new year be filled with kisses and hugs...no more frowns~~~move past any sadness or bitterness and live today as if it were your first, set the stage for bigger and better things, sit quiet and let your muse show you the way.&nbsp;Thank every being that has touched your life and let go.&nbsp; &nbsp;Breathe and let breathe...&nbsp; Happy New Year...a wondrous year is yours for the taking.&nbsp; I love you, Mom, thank you for my traveling pants&nbsp; :)</div></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br /></div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Warm breezes flowing through this house, and the smell of...yepp! pork roast and kielbasa and sauerkraut wafting from the kitchen.&nbsp; PG went to the Villa earlier and bought an organic pork roast, found the slow&nbsp;cooker...this place never smelled so good (so I've been told :)&nbsp; The&nbsp;kielbasa (tastes more like hot dogs)&nbsp;leaves much to be desired but but tradition is tradition...soon as I redd up here, shower and polish, we are heading to the club for dinner, drinks, fireworks...then back to the homestead for PORK and champagne.&nbsp; Life is good....can I pleassse get lost here???&nbsp; </div>afilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-33269337146311038462011-12-31T01:01:00.000-05:002011-12-31T01:01:36.327-05:00The Doctor Fish will see you now...﻿﻿﻿ <table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HfVMMVYcP9E/Tv6dfFTaHKI/AAAAAAAAATo/z0XDO6scILw/s1600/2011-12-29_16.22.07.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" rea="true" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HfVMMVYcP9E/Tv6dfFTaHKI/AAAAAAAAATo/z0XDO6scILw/s200/2011-12-29_16.22.07.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">PG feet</td></tr></tbody></table>﻿﻿﻿December 31, 2011...Good afternoon, friends, and pioneers everywhere!&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Yours truly, PG, and PG niece...found the Fish Spa in Chaing Mai and decided we needed a treatment, no appointment necessary.&nbsp; So, what the heck is this controversial Fish Spa or Fish Pedicure treatment?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;If someone said to you:&nbsp;&nbsp; Hey, come and stick your feet in this tub of fish so they can eat your dead skin!" (makes me wonder...who thought of that first??) You'd probably&nbsp;say...uh,&nbsp;I don't think so!! ﻿﻿﻿﻿<br /><br /><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kK_24JiZCFE/Tv6eFg8tP_I/AAAAAAAAAT0/ASba2U2eWz0/s1600/fish+spa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; height: 225px; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; width: 151px;"><img border="0" height="200" rea="true" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kK_24JiZCFE/Tv6eFg8tP_I/AAAAAAAAAT0/ASba2U2eWz0/s200/fish+spa.jpg" width="150" /></a>Yeah, the idea of having fish eat your skin, is justa bit creepy. But, here in&nbsp;Thailand and other Asian countries, many&nbsp;spa's&nbsp;offer this treatment where you become fish food.&nbsp; These species of "doctor" fish (Garra Rufa),feed off of&nbsp;dry, flaking human skin.&nbsp; Don't worry, they don't have teeth, so they don't bite, in fact, it tickles...as they chew off calouses and hard spots, it's a win-win situation, they get to eat, you get smooth tootsies.&nbsp; PS&nbsp;I don't believe this is legal in the States...&nbsp; so, just saying, gotta get your adventure pants on and come to Thailand..</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: right;">﻿</div>﻿﻿But this PG was tickled pink to have tried it..lots of giggling going on,&nbsp; which is always a good thing.&nbsp; Havent giggled this much for months, what a great trip so far~&nbsp;&nbsp; <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>afilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-4479980224866889962011-12-30T18:57:00.003-05:002011-12-30T19:34:22.749-05:00You Say Bangkok, I Say...<div><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></div><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="http://www.into-asia.com/photos/thailanguage/bangkoknumberplat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="http://www.into-asia.com/photos/thailanguage/bangkoknumberplat.jpg" width="200" /></a>Bangkoks official Thai name is the longest in the world...<br /><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q5pKZO4wn-w&amp;feature=youtube_gdata_player">Watch "Bangkok Official Name" on YouTube</a>&nbsp; Translation: &nbsp;&nbsp;<i style="background-color: rgba(255, 254, 254, 0.980469); font-family: 'Segoe UI', Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">The city of angels, the great city, the residence of the Emerald Buddha, the impregnable city (of Ayutthaya) of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarn.</i><br /><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 254, 254, 0.980469); font-family: 'Segoe UI', Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;"><br /></i><br /><i style="background-color: rgba(255, 254, 254, 0.980469); font-family: 'Segoe UI', Verdana, Geneva, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">I knew you couldn't really say Bangkok...</i></div><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></div><div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></div></div>afilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com0Pak Kret, Pak Kret13.9125 100.49834tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-33942365273216116232011-12-26T18:29:00.000-05:002011-12-26T18:29:41.951-05:00Massages and Messages<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img height="124" src="http://www.thaitalk.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Thai-massage.jpg" width="200" /> </div><br />December 26, 2011 - Sa-wad-dee-ka (Hello), Pioneers..Same day, different time....days seem to have to end and no beginning, having a hard time delineating days..can't believe it's still December 26. &nbsp;After having no sleep once again last night, I feel I'm starting to crash and burn. &nbsp;Today, Pad Thai served at pool side, followed by a Thai Massage, in the hopes of relaxing for some well needed sleep. &nbsp;Unlike any massage I've had, I enter the darkened room through the curtain to find a small, neat futon on the bamboo floor and folded loose cotton pj's ready for me. &nbsp;The smell of eucalyptus rising up through the air....no, wait that's a different song from a different continent. <br /><br />The massage is performed on the floor and is called "nuat phaen boran" (the ancient-manner massage). &nbsp;I'm instructed by the petite Thai woman to lie on my stomach and starting at my feet, this little woman inflicted a SERIOUS deep tissue massage and wake up call on every single muscle and tissue, every meridian, &nbsp;in my body. &nbsp;Using her elbows, knees, forearms..she puts my body into many yoga-like positions and stretches and pulls...sometimes hurting to where it was confused with a pain and a very large tickle, sometimes grimacing, something almost laughing. &nbsp;(this would be a great adjunct to my regular yoga practice at home) &nbsp; PS all for about $12 US. &nbsp; It enlivened me instead of relaxing me.<br />..<br />Headed to a swim lesson at the International School for my niece, Ali...what a ham that girl is, with a very good butterfly stroke..and she's speaking Thai, a most difficult language, more and more every day. &nbsp;So the message from Ali for the day: &nbsp;doo-lae-dtua-eang-duay-na-ka! &nbsp;(meaning "Take care of yourself...")<br /><br />xoxo PG in BT..afilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-90888461401401161912011-12-25T14:23:00.000-05:002011-12-25T14:23:43.357-05:00Turtle Love...Warning, Explicit Video<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx7ImQgEOyEowXALelh9VJrhHNTsoxLBbwDlSIjj9e2eH9VlmWwUtBbKlutHCDdl9VQYRB3uYpCAyXI8uuYTQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div>December 26, 2011 ... Love is everywhere in Thailand, and why not? &nbsp;It's tropical, warm, friendly, close and filled with smiles...even the birds and the bees do it, why not reptiles and amphibians? &nbsp;Tortoise keepers in Thailand have a perfect climate to keep them outdoors in a pen, and they can live up to 50 or even 100 years. &nbsp; &nbsp;A long term commitment indeed. &nbsp;These local neighborhood turtles are feeling the love...and if it could make you feel like a turtle voyeur, whatever you do....don't watch the awkward couple in the sun lit middle of this video..<br />(courtesy of M &amp; K, who happened upon the happy noisy couple)<br /><br />Hey, I'm entitled to at least one distasteful post! &nbsp; Still smiling...xoxo PG in BTafilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-17377293500012785492011-12-25T10:19:00.000-05:002011-12-25T10:19:32.486-05:00Lost and Found<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QVFLmijlFgY/Tvc5-S5SjmI/AAAAAAAAAS0/YjAArtD4bWA/s1600/chatuchak-weekend-market_b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="227" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QVFLmijlFgY/Tvc5-S5SjmI/AAAAAAAAAS0/YjAArtD4bWA/s320/chatuchak-weekend-market_b1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>December 25, 2011... &nbsp;Good evening, friends and pioneers. &nbsp;Today was quite the eventful day. &nbsp;After a brisk walk around the lake...stopping for fresh cleansing juice and feeding the gigormous carp in the lake, we headed out to the largest outdoor weekend shopping district in the world...Chatuchak. &nbsp;Covers 27 or 35 acres..have seen both numbers. &nbsp;It's very inexpensive because competition is high, so you gotta haggle. &nbsp;Once you get the hang of dollars versus bahts, it's pretty easy. &nbsp;Items for sale range from handmade Thai jewelry, hemp woven elephants and dragons (you can watch the woman make them and they are awesome!) &nbsp;, food of all sorts--some smell good, most do not, maybe because I'm a westerner-- wooden rocking horses, to puppies and kittens and roosters. &nbsp;I had to get out of the enclosed area where the pets for sale were displayed, made me feel creepy.<br /><br />We did end up getting disoriented and came out on the wrong side of the market and had no idea where we were..he tuk-tuks all parked in rows (motorized rickshaws), drivers calling to us for rides. &nbsp;We were waiting for our driver and finally found a Thai speaking girl who could communicate to our Thai driver where we were on the cell phone so he could pick us up. &nbsp;In the meantime, snacked on a lovely cup of husked roasted corn, salted and sugared.. and fresh coconut water. &nbsp;Yum. &nbsp;Haggled with vendors for a beach mat, and a cute pair of hippie pants for yours truly. &nbsp;And saw sights and sounds, and bells and bubbles, and even a band striking up some Sweet Home Alabama.. <br /><br />So remember..you may get lost (..) but you may also find...and it's the finding that counts.. Laa- Gon-Ka for today.... &nbsp;xoxo, PG in Thailandafilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-87369893255269075392011-12-25T00:03:00.001-05:002011-12-25T00:03:36.820-05:00Bird singing competition, Thailand.December 25, 2011 - Merry Christmas from Thailand! Today, your's truly PG and bro, Michael took on the outskirts of Pakret on the scooter and happened upon a bird singing competition. Check it out<br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RwpTaDzsvH0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>rry Christmas from Thailand...\afilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-28376697672235184112011-12-25T00:03:00.000-05:002011-12-25T00:03:34.376-05:00Bird singing competition, Thailand.December 25, 2011 - Merry Christmas from Thailand! Today, your's truly PG and bro, Michael took on the outskirts of Pakret on the scooter and happened upon a bird singing competition. Check it out<br /><br /><iframe width="560" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/RwpTaDzsvH0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>rry Christmas from Thailand...\afilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-14200787288732321972011-12-23T09:08:00.001-05:002011-12-23T09:08:54.615-05:00Hometown Girl needs a Bigger Bag<div><p>Got of you a rough start..unbelievably!&#160; But salvaged my sanity and now flying to Bangkok via Hong Kong.&#160; All my packing efforts in vain...repacked literally on floor on Pittsburgh Airport with an awesome United ticket agent and packing expert.&#160;&#160;&#160; Wish I had been able to video that!&#160; Saved me $70 though and didn't have to give up all the lotions I just bought...and I bought a lot..&#160; Request from my family for lotions and sunscreen....seems they are pricey in Bangkok.&#160;&#160; Only one checked bag allowed!!&#160; Need a bigger bag!!</p><br/><img src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-jxtR3k47rqI/TvSLdAnpurI/AAAAAAAAASo/0x6fSgleRO0/2011-12-23%25252008.11.07.png' /></div>afilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-45691839990446466932011-12-21T13:47:00.000-05:002011-12-21T13:47:32.102-05:00Vacation Search by Keywords: Thailand hiking<a href="http://www.infohub.com/scripts/main_cgi/search_key.php?keyword=Thailand+hiking#.TvIptq5Xnmg.blogger">Vacation Search by Keywords: Thailand hiking</a>afilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-90998145787407810882011-12-18T11:24:00.005-05:002011-12-19T09:26:22.265-05:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eB5F7-mNK3I/Tu4No1oSUrI/AAAAAAAAASg/fZcm9xdey5Y/s1600/ENJOY%2BTHE%2BTRIP.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="316" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eB5F7-mNK3I/Tu4No1oSUrI/AAAAAAAAASg/fZcm9xdey5Y/s320/ENJOY%2BTHE%2BTRIP.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>December 18, 2011 - Good morning, fellow travelers and pioneers. &nbsp;Today wise Shiro reminded me of travel as a confluence of both spiritual and physical travel. &nbsp; As we travel through our lives, we encounter lessons both good and instructive...I hesitate to say bad, because even unfortunate, seemly bad events are to be analyzed and blessed as seeds for growth. &nbsp;We've all had them, but we know that ruminating and holding grudges should not, in the overall scheme of a well balanced life tarnish our journey. &nbsp;Sometimes the ride may not be comfortable, sometimes its scary but focus on the goal of the JOURNEY...happiness and spiritual growth, &nbsp;love and forgiveness and loyalty and peace..some of the true qualities of life that are outside of so many people's reality that as they shop and shop seeking perfection, they believe they are buying happiness...such a simple existence.<br /><br />So as I really mark down my days prior to my big birthday adventure to the Land of Smiles, I will smile again and &nbsp;focus on family and loved ones both past and present, and thank them for blessing me with their lives both for the happiness and the sorrow.. seek forgiveness for any of my trespasses. &nbsp; and hope that I have blessed them in many or a few ways. &nbsp;You never know what may happen along the way, but if ones does get lost out there somewhere, I know love can bring them home.<br /><br />So, enjoy your own trip...keep your eyes open and you can find new adventures in your own backyard or your kitchen. &nbsp;My Sunday morning philosophy..before I head out for my morning walk. &nbsp;xoxo..PGafilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-87898634210515231962011-12-12T15:52:00.000-05:002011-12-12T15:52:39.062-05:00The Joys of Packing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ii_JQNqk7Zc/TuZi4lofGYI/AAAAAAAAASI/YtXzzQIrJJc/s1600/GetImage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ii_JQNqk7Zc/TuZi4lofGYI/AAAAAAAAASI/YtXzzQIrJJc/s320/GetImage.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>December 11, 2011... Things are shaping up! &nbsp;I'm getting so much closer to ..well at least dumping items on my "packing bed." &nbsp;As I think of things I may need, they go right on the bed. &nbsp;Step Two will be to organize it all in true Pioneer Girl fashion. &nbsp;Wonder what that is? &nbsp; Rolling, and zip lock bags..<br /><br />Went to Bakery Square over the weekend, picked up a few cute trinkets and tropical items at Anthropoligie...I love that store! Got my oversized funky sunglasses there.. &nbsp;See 'em?? on the left, very cute. &nbsp; &nbsp;Hair accessories are really big at Free People, hippie headbands, feather earrings and clipins, floppy hats... &nbsp;Oh, if only my hair were long again.<br /><br />Well, still in prep stages for my solo adventure. &nbsp;Guess it's not REALLY solo since I'm staying at my brother's once I get to Bangkok...but the travel almost around the world (32 hours including 8 hour layover in Paris, will be solo. &nbsp;It's a little daunting, but PG is up for the challenge, new places, new people, new adventures.<br /><br />A bientot for now..xoxo PGafilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-42268518691985952011-12-09T08:56:00.000-05:002011-12-09T08:56:14.082-05:00Picking and Packing and SmilingAs a true Pioneer.. I'm preparing for my trip, checking off my checklist and picking and packing.. but I'm still smiling...cause I'm headed to Bangkok..a City of Smiles..so stay tuned. Let's just see how much this PG can fit into one checked suitcase and one backpack, and stay organized. xoxo PG (SMILING...) i<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="225" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/32698769?title=0&amp;byline=0&amp;portrait=0" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe>afilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-36468357004428044582011-12-08T08:14:00.000-05:002011-12-08T08:14:24.136-05:00America's Heartland - Episode 714 - Owls Save Crops<div>Good morning, Pioneers! Last year about this time, I began this blog during a cross-country trip hauling a trailer. We began in Pittsburgh and since I felt like a pioneer, well...hence my blog name. The purpose of the trip was to set up camp in a beautiful vineyard to begin a study on the effect of barn owls as a natural rodenticide instead of poisons. The study was created by researcher, Mark Browning of the Pittsburgh Zoo and my BOBG (barn owl box guy!) Barn owls will feed on pocket gophers, mice...pocket gophers in particular can damage the roots of the grapes. The study is ongoing and is the subject of an episode of America's Heartland which is shown across the country's heartland farm lands on RFDTV and also PBS. </div><div><br /></div><div>Check out the episode below, Mark Browning of the Pittsburgh Zoo. </div><div><br /></div><a href="http://www.americasheartland.org/episodes/episode_714/owls_save_crops.htm">America's Heartland - Episode 714 - Owls Save Crops</a><div><br /></div><div>You done good, BOBG!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Stay tuned as Pittsburgh Pioneer Girl will soon become Thailand Pioneer Girl, as my travels will take me around the world to Asia in a few short weeks..</div><div><br /></div><div>Over n Out for now... XOXO, PG </div>afilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-41744879552622319102011-11-01T15:36:00.000-04:002011-12-26T18:00:43.379-05:00November NightListen<br />With faint dry sound,<br />Like steps of passing ghosts,<br />The leaves, frost-crisp'd, break from the trees<br />And fall.<br /><br />Adelaide Crapsey<br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px;">1878–1914</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #505050; font-family: Georgia; font-size: 16px; line-height: 24px;">&nbsp;She also makes reference to the afterlife, invoking the mythological river Styx. In her poems the season is perpetually autumn or winter, and the reader visits bleak (though also beautiful) natural scenes and elegant cemeteries.&nbsp;</span>afilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2108279362458233258.post-57992203729927126092011-11-01T10:14:00.000-04:002011-11-01T10:14:57.954-04:00Today and Tomorrow and Today<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/oLVyRvp2Qbg?feature=player_embedded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">&nbsp; November 1, 2011 &nbsp;Greetings fellow &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; pioneers.. .I learn and experience &nbsp; something new everyday as you know through my past blogs... &nbsp;Some have been quirky, some fun, and for me always educational in the process. &nbsp;That's what I love about being a Pioneer.....just open your eyes and explore. Maybe because it's a dreary November day and I'm feeling very melancholy that today's post will be very different than my past blogs, but no matter, today it is today until tomorrow when it will be today again..</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">I stumbled upon a beautiful clip on YouTube which made me contemplate the our rich past and the American way of life and the vast landscape in which we live. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">&nbsp;As we stumble through our journey in our moment of life, we learn also of the beauty of the past, the struggles which are different from our own, still show the human spirit of survival. &nbsp;This clip of Americana set to the brilliant Aaron Copland's music from his opera A Tender Life has me in awe today of this wonderful piece of work ... life and love is beautiful. Love frees us and gives us light, shining like a star—breaking the fearful darkness of this world, and guiding us on our long and winding journey home one day at a time. &nbsp;And so...life so fleeting is at times difficult but also sweet...</span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">...This is the Promise of Living.. &nbsp; &nbsp;Please enjoy the video, I promise you will be touched. &nbsp;Any comments anyone may share would be very much appreciated. &nbsp;</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;">Your Philosophical P.G....xoxo</span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><br /></span></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span><br /><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 17px;"><br /></span>afilakhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05840149978990005752noreply@blogger.com0